Nancy Cohen, age 15, of White Plains, N.Y., for her question:

WHO WERE THE THREE GRACES?

In Greek mythology, the Three Graces were the daughters of Zeus and Eurynome. Their names were Euphyrosyne (joy), Thalia (bloom) and Aglaia (brilliance).

The Three Graces were the goddesses of the talents of music and the arts. Aphrodite liked these gentle maidens to be her companions. Young men took their oath of loyalty by the Three Graces.

In the "Odyssey," Homer describes the Three Graces as lovely young spirits of beauty. They are presented in art as embracing each other or holding hands, and are clothed in flowing white gowns.

The Three Graces stand in the foreground of artist Sandro Botticelli's famous painting "La Primavera."